Failing at Writing? Now What?

There comes a time in every writing push when it feels like you’re failing. 

Whatever goal you set, you’re not meeting it. 

You’re imperfect. And your best intentions, it turns out, aren’t enough.

If this is you, you are not alone…and I have a fix: Instead of hoping to find time for writing, you must take concrete steps to make sure writing happens.

Startitis

We start projects (stories, a novel, a challenge) with the best of intentions. 

This time, we say…This time I’ll do it perfectly. If I just work harder, I won’t have bad days.

Yeah…that’s not a thing.

When It Gets Tough

Writers aren’t machines. 

We do have to keep showing up even when it doesn’t feel easy, but to do that and stay productive, you must show up with a boatload of compassion and joy. 

That is  easier to do a, when there are fewer decisions to make and b, when you’re around other people who get it.

Not “Will I Write?” But “When Will I Write?”

I’m as allergic to being told what to do and when to do it, as the next neurodiverse/creative person.

And yet.

Writing time doesn’t just appear because we want it to.

If you’re having trouble showing up for your writing right now (looks in the mirror. Nods.) you might need to take a look at your schedule and see if you have planned time where the writing can happen.

Without a plan, it won’t happen.

Even if you plan to write on Friday afternoon but get suddenly inspired as soon as you wake up, that’s fine. Flexibility is good. 

But having a plan–even one you react against–is a powerful way to limit the number of decision you have to make in the moment, and hoard your creativity for the actual writing..

Making time for your writing a gift

… to yourself and the world. 

It’s not about creating a rigid conveyor-belt-of-words you must staff at all times. 

It is about making your writing a priority, before other people’s priorities steal all your time away from you.

So. I’m off to put some potential writing times on my calendar. How about you?

Inspiration Corner

Here are some prompts that you might have missed, this month, to get your creative wheels turning.

Days 1-9

Day 10 – Darkness to Light, from Renan Bernardo

Day 11 – Inhumanity, from Julie Duffy

Day 12 – The Visitor, from Debbie Ohi Ridpath

Day 13 – Here’s a Quarter…, from Michele Reisinger

Day 14 – Mine your Emotions, from Jluie Duffy

Day 15 – Anarchic Archetype, from Julie Duffy

Day 16 – I Think I Can, from Somto Ihueze

Keep writing,

Julie

Day 15 | Anarchic Archetype by Julie Duffy

The Prompt

Think of a character who seems like a bit of a cliche. Begin writing a scene where they act in what looks like an irrational or out-of-character way.

Finish the story by adding more context: what has happened, in your character’s day, that makes their actions necessary or relatable? (You can add this context before and/or after the first scene you wrote).

Optional question: will you resolve matters for the reader or leave them guessing?)

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Julie Duffy

Julie Duffy is a writer and the host of StoryADay. She is also the host of the StoryADay Superstars writers’ group, and is available to talk to your group, on your podcast or at your conference. You can find her short fiction in anthologies and publications, including Analog.

Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!

Remember: Please don’t post your story in the comments here (and I talk more about why not, here). Best practice: Leave us a comment about how it went, or share your favorite line from your story.

15

Here’s your next Game Piece. save the image and share on social media with #storyaday

Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version

Day 14 | Mine Your Memories for Emotions by Julie Duffy

The Prompt

Today you’re going to dig into your memories and find one that has emotional resonance.

(Tip: it’s easy to reach for a dark memory, because those have strong emotions attached to them, but don’t be afraid to dig around for moments of joy, surprise, and happiness too. Happy stories can be deep, too!)

Put your characters into a scenario where they will feel similarly strong emotions. Then tell us that story, but practice doing it without ever naming an emotion.

Show us how they feel in their bodies, in what they notice, in any way you can. Make the scenery reflect their mood, if you want! Just don’t name the emotions.

This is excellent practice for any time you want readers to linger in the moment with your characters, or any time you want to highlight that This Is An Important Moment!

If you want more practice with the this technique, check out the One Story Challenge – Show, Don’t Tell Edition

StoryADay Challenge Handbook logo

Get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook for 2026 – custom warm-up and brainstorming exercises for every prompt, delivered as a private podcast with transcripts.
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Julie Duffy

Julie Duffy is a writer and the host of StoryADay. She has been working with authors since 1998 and has run the StoryADay Superstars writing group since 2018. Browse some of her on-demand workshops and workshops, or sign up for a coaching session, here:

Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!

Remember: Please don’t post your story in the comments here (and I talk more about why not, here). Best practice: Leave us a comment about how it went, or share your favorite line from your story.

14

Here’s your next Game Piece. save the image and share on social media with #storyaday

Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version

 

Day 13 | Here’s a Quarter, Call Someone Who Cares by Michele Reisinger

The Prompt

In March, researchers at Matter Neuroscience installed a ‘Call a Boomer’ payphone near Boston University that connects to a similar ‘Call a Zoomer’ payphone in a Nevada senior living facility.

The project’s goal, in part, is to connect two of the loneliest US demographics and to study the role those interactions have in combatting that loneliness.

Neither callers nor recipients know the other’s identity when they call, and their conversation topics (recorded for the study) range from the weather to dating advice.
Write a story about one such conversation.

Or not.

But be sure to include a payphone.

  • What are its features and how does this device fit (or not fit ) into your story world?
  • How familiar are your characters with this technology?

A story about a payphone in ancient Mesopotamia, for example, would be wildly different from one set in 1970’s Manhattan.

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Get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook for 2026 – custom warm-up and brainstorming exercises for every prompt, delivered as a private podcast with transcripts.
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Michele Reisinger

Michele Reisinger’s short fiction has appeared in Across the Margin, Stories That Need to be Told, Sunspot Literary Journal, Dreamers Creative Writing, and others. Find more of her writing online at mereisinger.com.

Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!

Remember: Please don’t post your story in the comments here (and I talk more about why not, here). Best practice: Leave us a comment about how it went, or share your favorite line from your story.

13

Here’s your next Game Piece. save the image and share on social media with #storyaday

Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version

 

Day 12 | The Visitor by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

The Prompt

 

a pencil drawing of a streetscape. A little girl looks out at the a purple monster hiding under the front steps of her rowhome. The rowhome has a red door and a tree in front of it, leafed out.
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Get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook for 2026 – custom warm-up and brainstorming exercises for every prompt, delivered as a private podcast with transcripts.
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Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is a Canadian author and illustrator whose work has appeared in over 20 books for young people. Her art most recently appeared in books by Michael Ian Black and Judy Blume. Find out more about Debbie and her work at DebbieOhi.com

Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!

Remember: Please don’t post your story in the comments here (and I talk more about why not, here). Best practice: Leave us a comment about how it went, or share your favorite line from your story.

12

Here’s your next Game Piece. save the image and share on social media with #storyaday

Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version

 

Day 11 | Inhuman by Julie Duffy

The Prompt

Write a story of exactly 100 words with the theme “Inhuman”.

My illustration for this prompt suggests one way to go with this theme, but I can think of many ways you could twist this and surprise readers.

Don’t forget it’s OK to over-write or under-write and then trim or add, as necessary.

(for more tips on how to write a story in 100 words read this previous prompt: )

Then, consider submitting it to 100 Foot Crow, before their May 15, 2026 deadline.

StoryADay Challenge Handbook logo

Get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook for 2026 – custom warm-up and brainstorming exercises for every prompt, delivered as a private podcast with transcripts.
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Julie Duffy

Julie Duffy is a writer and the host of StoryADay. You can dip in to 300+ episodes of the StoryADay podcast (with writing prompts, interviews, and inspiration) here: StoryADay Podcast

Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!

Remember: Please don’t post your story in the comments here (and I talk more about why not, here). Best practice: Leave us a comment about how it went, or share your favorite line from your story.

11

Here’s your next Game Piece. save the image and share on social media with #storyaday

Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version